The laugh that roared

Today is the funeral for Tom Magliozzi, whose infectious laugh and great personality made him a beloved figure across America and around the world through the show “Car Talk,” which he and his brother Ray co-hosted on National Public Radio. 

Part of his genius was that like all good communicators he was not just interested in the topic of what he spoke and wrote about but of all human relationships.   He (and Ray, of course) was a master of the narrative arts, and while he started on the radio, he also brought it to life in his writing for newspapers, a blog, and in several books. 

  

Tom (right) and Ray Magliozzi at their Boston car shop Good News Garage

  

Tom and Ray showed with their show that real people are far more interesting than canned radio announcers.  Peter Sagel of the popular NPR show “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me" said that his and every other interesting NPR show that has come after them owes them a debt of gratitude.

Tom’s terrific sense of humor came through in his stories.  He once said that he learned to drive from his Dad, who liked to say there are three kinds of drivers in the world: “The people who drive like me; the maniacs who drive faster; and the morons who drive slower.” 

 

And this (one of my all-time favorites):   “A renowned race-car driver was turning 65 and his wife asked him what gift she could get to make him happy on this milestone birthday.  ‘I’d like something that can get me from zero to 400 in less than 4 seconds!’ the driver exclaimed.  So, after giving it some thought, she bought him a scale.”    Tom Magliozzi will be deeply missed.  He was 77.

 

Share A Writer's Moment with a friend by clicking on the g+1 button below